I was attempting to draw a comic for Gintoki’s birthday but kinda ran out of steam…Anyway, here are a couple of pages that I liked enough not to scrap. Happy belated birthday, you good-for-nothing natural perm
I’m not asking you to donate anything, or pay for anything.
I’m only asking for you to click that “reblog” button.
And, in doing so, spread awareness about Schizoaffective Disorder, and help to reduce the myths and misconceptions.
There is so little awareness about Schizoaffective Disorder, which makes it really difficult for those of us suffering from it, to receive understanding within society. Common reactions can range from complete ignorance, to assumptions that the disorder unequivocally equates to the notion that we are violent, or dangerous. There are a lot of very common misconceptions, that could be blotted out, with only a little bit of awareness.
What is Schizoaffective Disorder?
Schizoaffective Disorder, is a serious psychiatric condition, in which individuals suffer from both psychotic, and affective (mood) issues. It is diagnosed, when symptoms of Schizophrenia, collide with symptoms of a mood disorder, such as Bipolar Disorder or Major Depressive Disorder. It is difficult to diagnose, as it can closely resemble other disorders, such as Schizophrenia, or Bipolar Disorder with Psychotic Features. There are many technicalities in the DSM-IV that differentiate these disorders, making the disorder something that requires professional observation, treatment, and maybe most importantly, time, to diagnose accurately.
What can the symptoms of Schizoaffective Disorder include? (Source: The Mayo Clinic)
- Strange or unusual thoughts or perceptions
- Paranoid thoughts and ideas
- Delusions - having false, fixed beliefs
- Hallucinations - eg./ hearing voices
- Unclear or confused thoughts (disorganised thinking)
- Periods of depression
- Periods of manic moods/sudden increases in energy
- Irritability or poor temper control
- Suicidal thoughts, and/or thoughts of homicide
- A speaking style that people sometimes can’t follow or understand
- Behaviour at the extreme end of the spectrum, for example behaving in a bizarre way
- Problems with attention and memory
- Lack of concern about hygeine and physical appearance
- Changes in energy and appetite
- Sleep disturbances
What are the treatments for Schizoaffective Disorder?
- Anti-psychotic medications
- Mood-stabilizing medications
- Anti-depressants (usually in conjunction with at least one of the above)
- Psychotherapy and counselling
- Family therapy
- Electroconvulsive Therapy
Are all people with Schizoaffective Disorder really dangerous?
No, this is a stereotypical myth. Researchers have discussed that there is almost no conceivable way of figuring out whether environmental factors, or personality traits, account for the crime and violence that may occur in individuals with a mental illness.
What to do if you think a loved one may be suffering with Schizoaffective Disorder?
- Make sure that they have the contact details of suicide helplines, and mental health helplines in their possession
- Make sure you have the number of a mental health outreach team on your cell phone, in case things progress rapidly and your loved one needs immediate help
- Talk to them about how they are feeling, and suggest that it might be time to have a chat to your Doctor
- Reassure them, that you only want to make their life better
- Get a referral to a knowledgable and reputable Psychiatrist, and make sure that they receive the help that they need
- Don’t be angry or upset around them, if you feel that way, save that for your own time, and if you are struggling with what is going on for them, consider seeing a counsellor to help you deal with how you feel about what is going on
So, what is with the ribbon?
I have realised that there is no real official ribbon for Schizoaffective Disorder, well, at least not one I can find! So, I made one online. The grey, is representative of the Schizophrenia awareness ribbon, and symbolises the psychotic symptoms associated with Schizoaffective Disorder. The green lining, is representative of the affective (mood) components of Schizoaffective Disorder, as green is currently displayed upon the Bipolar Disorder awareness ribbon. Bipolar Disorder can involve manic episodes/depressive episodes/mixed episodes, so it is relevant to the Schizoaffective ribbon. This Schizoaffective Disorder ribbon represents that collision of psychotic and affective (mood) symptoms, which are so relevant in this disorder.
The ribbon is transparent, so it won’t compromise your blog’s aesthetic goodness! Please pass this on. Love, hope, and strength to you.
God, guys, this is so important. I’m tearing up. This is my disorder! Someone actually cared enough to raise awareness for my disorder!
seeing as its national coming out day, id like to let everyone know that im coming out of my cage and ive been doing just fine gotta gotta be down because i want it all
Angel has decided that she wants to be called by her first name from now on (which won’t affect her music) so it would be awesome if you guys could start calling her by that. Raeen pronounced like rain and Roes pronounced like rose.
at what point do american children realise it’s weird for them to pledge allegiance to their flag and country every day at school and that not all countries do that and how long after that discovery do they realise how creepy it is
why is this something no one talks about because it concerns me on a very deep level
Top 10 Things About Gintama → #08 Defining Friendship
"When your friend is crying, cry with him. When your friend is worried, you should worry with him. When your friend has an awkward bowel movement, then you must have an awkward bowel movement too, Shin-chan. If you are a friend, you should be able to share the other’s pain, no matter what. And, Shin-chan, if your friend goes down the wrong path…Then, you must stop your friend, even if it ruins your friendship. That is true samurai friendship.”
Friendship is consistently seen as a main theme in most prominent anime. Stuff like: “Friendship is the most important thing!” It’s rare to find an anime that delves into the subject of friendship any more than that; it all remains relatively at surface level. Anime tends to be, well, anime. Gintama, like most shounen anime, portrays acts of friendship through rather extreme, unrealistic endeavors. Chances are, you’ve seen enough near-death sacrifices in anime to know what I’m talking about. In Gintama, however, these acts are reinforced by countless more subtle and realistic acts. Whether it be Otae chasing away boys that were teasing Kyuubei or Gintoki buying Kagura an umbrella, it’s these small instances of kindness that Gintama redefines what friendship means in the unconventional world of anime. Titles in between family and friend are examined through such trivial interactions. These friendships, which are established by smaller, realistic moments throughout the show, are then reflected by being put into extreme “anime” circumstances. Gintama truly embodies what every anime should be trying to do in the difficult attempt of defining friendship.
u know instead of brotp u could just as easily use this term called FRIENDSHIP. weird, huh?
She actually was taken off her medication against doctors orders.
She doesn’t fucking have control over her actions because shes bipolar and schizophrenic and if i fucking see anyone making fun of her for this shit i will fucking UNFOLLOW you so goddamn fast.
Mental illness is not a goddamn joke and I don’t support her being called a racist because of this shit so fuck anyone talking shit about her right now.
As if she’s the only mentally ill person in the world without access to her meds or something. She’s a racist and you’re standing with her AS SHE LITERALLY DOES SOMETHING RACIST, WHITE PEOPLE DO NOT GET A FREE PASS TO BE RACIST FOR BEING MENTALLY ILL.
YOU KNOW WHO ELSE HAS SCHIZOPHRENIA? ME
YOU KNOW WHO ELSE DOESN’T HAVE ACCESS TO MEDS? ME
YOU KNOW WHO ALSO DOESN’T GET A FREE PASS TO SAY THE N WORD? ALSO ME.
You’re not even black I don’t know who the fuck gave your sorry arse any authority to say it’s okay for her to say the n word.
She’s not black, she can’t say the n word but she did and she’s a racist piece of shit.
So fuck her and fuck you.
my cat Mitey is missing! we’re going to put up signs in the area and check local shelters, but i wanted to try the internet as well.
she’s a small black/white/orange tortoiseshell/calico, no collar, friendly but skittish, distinctive triangular spot on her nose like a jack-o-lantern. she was lost near the corner of 20th and mission street. she has a funny meow that sounds like she’s gargling.
if you’ve seen her, please get in touch with me through my submit box!